Help My Bike Won't Start!!!

[lueylu]

i have an 09 FZ 6 with 700 miles. its been sitting in Florida since sept of 09, just got back to fl and my bike won't start, the battery is good because when i tryin starting it, it fires and you hear the engine turning over but it just doesn't start? i called 2 different dealers and both have different option, one told me that its the gas, and the other told me its the spark plugs... any ideas or has this happen to anyone here. Help please its nice weather and i want to be out enjoying it lol

 

[Ryan T]

It could still possibly be the battery. It may not have enough juice to get it started. However, aside from that, have you tried bump starting it? If it starts and you can ride for awhile that's a good thing.

Check to make sure you hear the whining noise when you turn the key on. This noise is the fuel pump. Make sure your engine cut off switch is not in the shutoff position when checking for this.

Check to ensure your fuel hoses are not crimped.

Check your air filter, not getting enough air can cause a problem

Just asking, how much gas is in it?

I don't think it's a spark plug problem unless they have been tampered with. At any rate, doesn't hurt to check to see if they are indeed fully connected.

 

[deeptekkie]

Sorry you are having problems. I'm betting that you did not leave the tank full of gasoline (a VERY common mistake) and with constant heat up/cool down cycles it has sweated within the tank causing you to have a lot of condensate in your fuel system. IF that's the case you will probably have to drain out all of the old gasoline, (wherever it is), and install fresh go-juice. Hopefully the tank is not full of rust above the fuel level.
(If you did leave it full then I would bet on the fuel pump too)
Good luck!
P.S. If you ever store it again you may consider using some fuel stabilizer.

 

[TownsendsFJR1300]

I agree with 100% of the above. I would however, after checking the tank for rust, remove the tank and dump the fuel. There are two wire harness to disconnect and pay atention to the vent line). Make sure you hear the fuel pump cycle up when the key is turned on.

I would also check/charge the battery. It NEEDS 12 volts to fire up, not just spin the engine but get the elctronics to work correctly. If you have the time, get the battery load tested and rule that out...


BTW, I bought my 07 from my friend who bought it new. The battery died in two days after taking delivery. They replaced it under warranty, been fine ever since...

 

[lueylu]

thanks everyone for the advise. I had to change the spark plugs and also clean out the gas tank and put new gas in. I'm up and running again.. yeeeeesssssss

 

[chaskell27]

I'm glad to hear that you got it running. I must say that I am surprised that the spark plugs had to be changed. Maybe somebody here has an explanation but I just can't think of a reason why they would be faulty.

 

[04fizzer]

Next time you have to store for an extended period, be sure to put fuel stabilizer in the gas, and fill the tank.

 

[Evitzee]

Letting a bike sit for 9 months without having the battery on a Battery Tender is asking for trouble. The battery will self discharge just by sitting, especially in a warm climate like FL. If you are going to do this again invest in a BT Jr. for about $40, install the harness on the + and - terminals and you are all set for plug and store. I wouldn't have a bike without a Battery Tender.

 

[Andy Mc]

i have simillar problem too, left the keys in the bike for about fours hours and ignition switch must have been on. I dont have a charger can a dealer charge and is it expensive.

Plus bump start any good havent tried this yet. (Bike is 2008 fz6n s2)

Now the bike has been started up at least once a week since i bought it bout three weeks ago for bout five mins. So i think the battery is ok.

Is their warranty on batteries?

Thanks

Andrew

 

[TownsendsFJR1300]

If its just sitting there idleing for 5 minutes, its discharging the battery. It needs to be run, above over 4-5 k to charge. Ride it at least a half hour a week to keep it up, burn off moisture in the crankcase too..

Charging voltage per the shop manual should be 14 volts at 5,000 RPM.

I'd invest in a battery tender or at least a cheaper version. Your battery will last considerably longer...

There is a very limited warranty on most bike batteries, nothing like an automobile battery. The warranty depends on the maker, is it in a new bike that won't hold a charge, etc...

 

[RJ2112]

i have simillar problem too, left the keys in the bike for about fours hours and ignition switch must have been on. I dont have a charger can a dealer charge and is it expensive.

Plus bump start any good havent tried this yet. (Bike is 2008 fz6n s2)

Now the bike has been started up at least once a week since i bought it bout three weeks ago for bout five mins. So i think the battery is ok.

Is their warranty on batteries?

Thanks

Andrew

If there's enough juice in the battery to pressurize the fuel rail, the bike will bump start. 3rd gear is easiest.

Five minutes is not enough to recharge what is drained out by starting the bike, especially if it's at idle. At least 15 minutes, at 3,000 or so would be a lot better.

+1 on getting a smart charger. A Battery Tender Jr, with the quick disconnect harness sells in the US for less than $30. Worth every penny of it, too.

 

[philosopheriam]

In attempt to diagnose no-starts, there are TWO THINGS that need to be verified before one begins to speculate about bad batteries, poor fuel, faulty spark plugs, etc...

1. Is there spark?
2. Is there fuel?

To check for spark, buy an inline spark tester, hook it up to one of the plug leads, ground the other end, and crank the engine. Look for a spark... if there isn't any, you need to work backwards to discover the problem.

To check for fuel, you need a fuel pressure guage - bottom line. Fuel injected engines can be cranky about fuel pressue. No pressure or inadequate pressure will cause a variety of problems. If there isn't any fuel pressure, you once again need to work backwards to discover the problem. Is the pump getting electricity and turning on, etc...

What I am trying to say is that instead of speculating, a methodical approach is much more effective for diagnosing these sorts of problems.

Just my .02

 

[Shamus McFeeley]

i have simillar problem too, left the keys in the bike for about fours hours and ignition switch must have been on. I dont have a charger can a dealer charge and is it expensive.

Plus bump start any good havent tried this yet. (Bike is 2008 fz6n s2)

Now the bike has been started up at least once a week since i bought it bout three weeks ago for bout five mins. So i think the battery is ok.

Is their warranty on batteries?

Thanks

Andrew

You should look at a portable jump starter. Something like this:
Jump Starter
Does not have to be that exact one, but something like it. Since you can't get to the battery terminals easily without lifting the tank up, you can install a modified battery tender harness so that you can clip your jump starter leads directly to it. I have a harness modified in this way just in case, because you know it's always when you're in a rush the the battery is dead.